BLOG IN STONE

BLOG IN STONE

I’d rushed past some incredible sculptures in the Atlanta airport while attending The Immortality Institute Conference (Vlogged as “Waging War on Death” with more to come).

 

When I ended up with a six hour delay in Atlanta while returning from Indianapolis where I’d flown to work with a couple filmmakers on a documentary about human reproductive cloning, I decided to take the time to film and photograph the exhibit in greater detail.

 

It was truly amazing. However, while I was spending two hours filming and photographing (with my heavy bag and coat always a sculpture or two away) the sound system repeatedly announced that the trains weren’t running and that people should use the moving sidewalks.

 

This circumstance also meant that the passageway, which would usually have only a few people walking through, was suddenly gushing with people madly dashing to catch their planes.

 

Atlanta Airport is simply huge. Most people passing through there aren’t even aware that this exhibit exists.

 

After compiling the videos of the sculpture and reading what I could of the displayed literature, I discovered that Zimbabwe Sculpture was internationally famous.  The most amazing thing was that it was introduced only in the 1950s along with some other art forms.

 

Local artists seem to have a special gift and attraction to sculpture.  That can be seen in those presented here.

 

Each one had an explanation. One represented a “protected family”. Another represented a “water spirit”. Another represented a “peacemaker”.

 

The last one displayed was the most touching. It was entitled “Who Will Raise This Child” and shows two parents infected with AIDS looking skyward as if pleading to God for help while a child clings to them as if to keep them from leaving.

 

I hope you enjoy this film. This is a permanent exhibit at the Atlanta Airport right near the baggage claim. Don’t miss it if you pass through the airport.

If text is separated from video, see:

http://www.randywickerreporting.blogspot.com/

 

I’ve done a little searching on Google and have compiled the following links that might answer a lot of your questions if you find this art as interesting as I did.

 

Link to an article by a professor:

http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/landow/post/zimbabwe/art/sculptors/history.html

 
 

Link to sculptures in a Zimbabwe park:

http://www.cama.org.za/CAMA/countries/zimbabwe/webcomponents/Html/sculp.htm

 

Link to brief story about Zimbabwe sculpture:

http://artzimbabwe.com/reference/content.htm

 
 

List of sculptures and pictures of their works which are also for sale:

http://www.chapungu.com/sculptures.htm